From just outside of the gaza border. Dozens of israeli tanks, armored personnel carriers, and bulldozers are gathered in this area, and several other groupings are nearby. Israeli troops are waiting to storm into gaza after days of agonizing delays, humanitarian aid house rolled into gaza for the First Time Since the war began two weeks ago. The Border Crossing between egypt and gaza is closed again, we should note, after the 20 truck convoy made its way through. Police agencies say that many more shipments of water, fuel, and food are urgently needed. And that gazis Hospital System is teetering on collapse. Also to tell you about this afternoon, American Mother and daughter are one step closer to the u. S. Soil, one day after being freed by hamas. Judith raanan and her 17yearold daughter, natalie, are uniting today at an Israeli Military base. Her father says that theyre expecting her home by tuesday for her 18th birthday. Ive been waiting for this moment for a long time, two weeks. I have not been sleeping for two weeks. Tonight, i will sleep good. I spoke with my daughter earlier today, she sounds very good, she looks very good, she is very happy. Shes waiting to come home. Palestinian Health Officials say that more than 4300 people have died in gaza, that number is certain to rise. We will begin this hour in the coastal city in Southern Israel, cnns Jeremy Diamond is there. Jeremy, what are you seeing on the ground right now, do we see any indication that this Ground Incursion that has been anticipated for days now might get underway this weekend . Well, jim, it is not only what we are seeing on the ground but it is also and listening to the top generals of israels military, this evening, jim, israels military Chief Of Staff, general halevi, is saying very clearly that we will enter the gaza strip and telling troops that they will embark on a campaign to, quote, destroy hamas operatives, and the infrastructure. Again, this follows several other very clear indications from the defense minister, the Prime Minister, and other top generals that that is indeed the plan to go into the gaza strip. And today, we saw massings of hundreds of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and bulldozers all within less than ten kilometers of the gaza strip. All of this indication, that they are preparing to move when exactly . We do not know. It does appear that we are nearing that moment. At the same time, we spent some time here in the city of ashkelon, which has received more fired from hamas over the last two weeks than any other city and israel to get a sense of what it is like to live here. Go inside, go inside this is live in ash cologne. The most fired upon city and israel since hamas launched its first rockets 12 days ago. Here, fears still gripped some. Others carry on. Ignoring the sirens whales. When we were outside, we were very careful. When we were inside, god is protecting us. Every we do not need to be afraid. In a city where 90 of businesses have closed, this supermarket is a lifeline. Theres a lot of businesses that are closed. It is working because people have to eat. They have to drink. You come once a week . Once a week. And now, on the road, to put my hands on my getting to a bomb shelter is not an option for everyone here. Prompting the city to help evacuate thousands. We have around 35,000 people that actually leave the shelters. Each and every rocket means a direct hit for them. We are trying to find solutions for them. More than 12,000 rockets have targeted ashkelon, and while most are intercepted by the iron dome, about 200 have me direct hits. Displacing families from their homes, causing casualties, and shuddering businesses like this bakery. When we got here, everything was in pieces, the door was out of place, there was the smell of gunpowder. A lot of nails were spread out. Everything was destroyed. We are starting to put things right. In a basement of an unassuming building, the ceo takes us into the cities Emergency Operation center where officials try and shorten response times, tracking incoming rockets headed for the city. Rescue teams, police, ambulances, everything is going from here. Before the rocket even lands, you can see where it would land . Yes. We have some dimension. Then the First Responders wait, and pray. And jim, four people have already died in the city of ashkelon with a result of that rocket fire. 35 have been injured in more than 1200 people have been displaced from their homes as a result of hits on their houses. Just last, night in, fact it is easy to think that the Iron Dome System captures all of these rockets but some of them do indeed get through. Just last night, there were hits onto homes here in ashkelon as well as one parked car, jim . Jeremy, about the crossing, we saw that some of that aid was able to get through those 20 trucks and the convoy got through but then the crossing was shut down again. What can you tell us about that . Yeah. That is right. 20 trucks of humanitarian aid finally make it through the crossing after a week during which there were negotiations. There was finger pointing about who was responsible for the holdup in the states. Some of it finally getting through. But now, they say that much more needs to continue to go through and in the firm humanitarian corridor. A consistent one needs to be established. The director of the World Food Programme is warning that it is a catastrophic humanitarian situation currently inside of gaza with rampant starvation, urgent need for food and water to get in as well as fuel as well. And we know that the death toll in gaza continues to rise more than 4000 people have been killed in gaza in just the last two weeks, and that includes hundreds of women and children as well. And in addition to that, jim, we are still hearing a very intense air campaign being carried out by israel as well as Artillery Fire going out. We can hear that rumbling in the background, and it has been continuing all night, jim . All right, chairman, thank you very much. Joining me now, Lieutenant Colonel, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense forces, colonel, thank you as always for being with. As we appreciate it. Again, i guess, just a pick up on what jeremy was talking about a few moments ago, apparently the idea of Chief Of Staff has said to commanders that we will end the gaza strip, i think that i have that quote pretty much verbatim there. What is the timeline for that . Yes. Thank you for having me. Your quote is just about correct. And the timeline, you know, that changes according to many variables on the ground in the air. And across the sea. The important thing is that the ivf will conduct significant Military Operations in order to defeat hamas, and in order to bring our hostages home. And in order to fundamentally change the Security Situation that we have in Southern Israel and frankly, all of israel. Has this Ground Incursion ventilate somewhat in order to win the release of hostages . We saw Two American Hostages were released, it is that entering the equation . I am confident that decisions are made by those who made decisions in israel in order to achieve both of these names that i said before. To defeat hamas, and all of the other terrorists and gaza, and to bring home or people. It is a very difficult and we are not going to spare any efforts, intelligence, combats, diplomatic, everything we can do to bring people home. We will do so. Those are the words of the lieutenant general, or Chief Of Staff, and the commitment here is very solid. We will have to see by what means we can get them out. The best would be for hamas to hand them over safe and sound, as they took them. That would be the shortest weight which would spare the most lives in israel and in gaza. If they dont, we will get them back by any way that we can, and they will be back home very soon. And what can you tell our viewers about why after nearly two weeks did hamas decide to free this American Mother and daughter . You have any answers as to why . My assessment is that we are talking about a very cheap and sophisticated attempt that is looking humanitarian. They even have the audacity, this terror organization, this crisis of gaza, have the audacity to include humanitarian in their Press Release when they spoke about why the release of these two women. I think that it is outrageous that they even think of using that after the atrocities that they did on the 7th of october, where during thousands of israeli civilians, people that are still trying to identify forensically because the remains were in such horrible condition that not even with the most advanced machinery and techniques are we able to identify people. That is how bad their atrocities were. And what are the hopes for the remaining hostages at this point . What is your assessment as to how those hostages are doing, i know that you dont want to get into sources and methods, but i have to assume that you have some sense as to how they are doing . What can you tell us . I can tell you that out of the 210 israelis that we have confirmed are held in gaza, some of them by hamas, some of them by other terror organizations, we have a better picture of who was taken alive, and who was taken dead, we know that quite a few corpses were taken by hamas, they dont only take life persons but they try to train corpses as well. And we are constantly piecing together additional parts of information to complete and to understand where they are being held, who is holding them, and most importantly, how to get them out. At this stage, i cannot elaborate further about much of what is going on, you know, i can only reiterate the commitment to bring all of them home. Colonel, what is the situation down at the Rafah Crossing . You saw those 20 trucks that the convoy came through, obviously, you heard from a variety of officials there in gaza that humanitarian situation dictates that more Relief Supplies come in. Is israel is the idea of open to that . Are you open to seeing more humanitarian aid coming through . And are you would you pledge to be a part of that process to make sure that that aid does come through . You know, in general, i think that we are done taking dictates from various organizations around the world. Telling us what we need and need not do when it comes to the situation in gaza. The organization responsible for what is happening in gaza is hamas. They are hoarding humanitarian equipment, and they are using it for their military purposes instead of allowing the civilians. They have stolen fuel from u. N. Facilities. They have taken food from other locations, and they are stockpiling them instead of providing it to civilians. The situation in gaza would not be as difficult if the priorities of hamas for different. Sadly, thats not the case. But the pressure should be on hamas through their various iran, qatar, and the others, to provide for the civilians. Now, colonel, i understand that there is a trust issue, no question about it. But are you saying that no more humanitarian supplies will be allowed through . None of these supplies are going to be allowed through from an israeli standpoint . Your country is now opposed to it . Well, i can only speak on behalf of the military, and before that we got orders from the cabinet that an agreement was made at the request of u. S. President biden, that request has been fulfilled and honored, and we will see what how the situation unfolds. But what is important is also to keep in mind that everything that goes into the gaza strip, we want to make sure that it does not reach hamas, because these cowards would not be beneath them to steal water from a thirsty baby. If they wanted for their combatants in order to fight against us. So we have to make sure, it is the responsibility of those providing that into gaza to make sure that it does not reach Hamas Terrorists and that it is not used for Combat Operations against us. All right, Lieutenant Colonel jonathan henriquez, thank you for your time. We appreciate it. Thank you for having me. Thank you. Coming up, life inside of gaza, we will get a firsthand account as to food and more medical supplies, they are running out, more on that in a moment. You are live in the cnn newsroom. The crossing along the south end of gaza was briefly opened this morning to allow the first convoy to enter the besieged territory, but as cnn shows us, a lot more humanitarian aid is needed and fast. Hospitals in gaza are crumbling. Everything is running out from Surgical Equipment to medicine. And the tinys lives are left hanging in the balance. We need power, we need access to clean water, this doctor says. Without basic services this will be a humanitarian catastrophe. Already seven hospitals and 21 primary Health Care Facilities here are out of service according to palestinian officials because of shortages. After intense implemented a efforts prayers of relief at the Border Crossing as a trickle of aid was allowed in from egypt but the 20 truck convoy is only a drop in the ocean of need here. Equivalent to 3 of what entered this enclave daily prior to the conflict. More than 200 additional trucks of assistance remains stalled on the egyptian side according to the u. N. And every hour costs lives. And so far new civilians can leave the on played. Tenyearold Palestinian American, aidan, is among those trapped. We had no place to go. All of the streets are bombed. They are literally gone. How are we supposed to go out . How . It is all closed. Even if people are allowed out it would be a limited number. Most likely only those with foreign passports. Stealing some 2 million others, half of them children, into this whole escape. But some refused to go. Even if they could. Fearing that Israel Intends to besiege them out of their homes never to return. Even as muhammad buries his children, he says that he will keep fighting just exist here. We will still be patient, as long as we are live on this earth we will be patient, he says. We will never leave this land. After the october 7th terror attacks, one hamas killed more than 1400 people in israel, a brutal surprise incursion, israel vowed to wipe out hamas. But with hundreds of airstrikes, pounding the densely populated enclave, innocent blood is being spilled. Innocent children were struck down while they were sleeping, this woman shouts. What did they do . Did they carry weapons . These are innocent children who know nothing. Tell us, when will this and . There are calls for a ceasefire to get civilians out of the war zone and allow more aid into gaza, but the pleas fall on deaf ears so far. Israel is preparing for the next phase of its operations. A potential Ground Incursion that could only bring more suffering. That was Salma Reporting from more on this. I want to go to our next guest, hes an Advocacy Officer for the norwegian, gaza Refugee Council in gaza. You are on the phone with us. If you could describe to us what you are seeing on the ground in gaza right now . Thank you. Unfortunately, we were forced to flee. I lived in there, and we will see the population, and you see people here, i dont think that to host all of these other people. So people are always in front of this, trying to fill sleeping in hospitals, in different areas, people who are looking like me, to host them. Unfortunately, theres not enough space, or food, or supplies or electricity. It is a miserable situation here, jim. We are looking at something that you recorded inside of gaza in some of these bombed out neighborhoods. Tell us about what the humanitarian needs are like right now. I know that youve described the convoy, and entered the gaza crossing, it is being dropped in the ocean. But we are talking to the israeli spokesperson a few moments ago. I dont know if you could hear any of that interview. But from their Point Of View it sounds as though they are not going to allow more Relief Trucks in. I suppose that is not good news, obviously. We have 2 million people. And theyve been there for more than 16 years. Weve had above our, heads even before this war, more than half the population was after that, the conflict, lack of food these checks, they need supplies, and it is something but it is not enough for everyone. We understood this check, and medical supplies. But if you are talking about one meeting, 400,000 have been having nothing. And i have to where i could find anything to think about this, just to cope again. People are in need for those things here. For medical supplies. Because it was collapsing even before. And it hasnt been updated because of the siege, and all the other circumstances. So it is now more aid that comes in, and the demand is more. So i dont think that we can handle it for extra time. And even if we flee to the south, it doesnt stop there. And a couple of minutes, they are striking there. So, we are thinking of our needs also. And the early Defense Forces are sounding as though they may begin this Ground Incursion, that they may move their Ground Forces into parts of northern gaza eminently. We do not know for sure when that will happen, but they are making it sound as though it could happen any day now. What would that do, and how would that contribute to the very dire situation from a humanitarian standpoint inside of gaza . So, thousands of people have fled, but more and more people flee, that is to make more and more people become displaced. And [inaudible] unfortunately, [inaudible] especially [inaudible] it is going to be [inaudible] if that happens. I dont think that [inaudible] it is more than that. People who are in need, and people who fled, [inaudible]. They use it for a way where they cant take control of anything. All right joseph. Thank you very much for your time. We appreciate it. Thank you. Still ahead, President Biden is pushing for more money for military and humanitarian assistance for the conflicts, and ukraine and israel, but the chaos on capitol hill means that that request cannot really move forward at this point. We will discuss that live in the cnn newsroom. As they were between israel and hamas rages on, President Biden is helping to support israel. Mr. Biden is asking for more than 100 billion dollars, mostly in military aid. Israel and ukraine, but the deal would also pay for security along the u. S. And mexico border and humanitarian aid to gaza, as well as other areas in the region. We will bring in democratic congresswoman, debbie schultz, she is a member of the house appropriation committee. Congressman, thank you for being with us. I, guess what is your response to what President Biden is asking for here. Would you rather see these aid i guess these eight requests be divvied up into different buckets sources better perhaps from a Strategy Standpoint to want them altogether . Because of the Current Situation up on the hill . Thank you for having me. You know, i think what President Biden may resolutely clear the other night was that if the United States doesnt prevent or stand by, we will face russia, china, iran, and hamas on their front lines. We are going to find ourselves on the front lines in that fight, as well. And our National Security interests are seriously implicated and that we have to make sure that there is no tyrant like Terrorist Organizations like hamas just going to be allowed without it responds to invade another country to terrorize another nation and citizens, and the world just shrugs its shoulders. Certainly not the United States. Do you think that it makes sense from a strategic standpoint to put all of this aid together in one package as the president appears to be seeking at this point, are we going to see a situation, perhaps, in the coming weeks, where some of this might get divided up . Or maybe it is just too soon to tell . What do you think. As an appropriator, this is an emergency National Security supplemental requests. This is how these things are packaged, they are packaged together, they certainly all have common threats running whether it is russia invading ukraine, the china threat against taiwan, hamas is horrendous attack on israel backed by iran. We have to make sure, the republicans cant do their own way right now, we dont have a speaker and havent had one for 20 days, its not like we have a whole lot of time, less than a month before the Government Shutdown to pass individual Appropriations Bills in order to make sure that we can address our very serious National Security interest, and stand by our allies like israel and ensure that ukraine is not taken over completely. What was your response to the release of those Two American Hostages by hamas . What did you think of that and the timing of it . I mean, relief. I was in the region during the attacks and was in saudi arabia having met with leaders the night before and i thought morning to the reports of the Rocket Attacks and the horrific assault on israeli citizens, the worst and most significant loss of life, intentional loss of life since the holocaust for on a single day. Ive met, this week, jim, with not only Family Members but a girl his 28 years old and could have been sitting across from my own daughter. My daughter spent the whole summer in israel. It is all i can think of. This attack happened three months earlier. My daughter was in tel aviv. For nine weeks. It is there but for the grace of god we have to make sure we are standing by israel. Hamas must release the hostages. We have to continue to insist on that on the United States is working side by side with israel and the International Red cross and others to ensure that other hostages can get out. But at the same time, hamas cannot be allowed to just call back unders hole to live to fight another day and launch another attack to fulfill their true mission. I guess you know not everybody on your party is on the same page on this issue. Congresswoman rashida tlaib, the Palestinian American in congress, took some harsh language to the president and what hes been doing lets take a listen. I truly believe this. I truly believe this in my heart. Americans want to see they wanted to stop. President biden not all america is with you on this one. And you need to wake up and understand that. We are watching people commit genocide. And we still stand by and say nothing. We will remember this. What is your response to that . Let me just be clear, the loss of civilian lives in any case is tragic and needs to be prevented. The regulations of war, israel and any combatant needs to abide by. When you are combatting a Terrorist Organization like hamas, they dont Pay Attention to anything like that. They came in, they massacred 1300 israelis, just because they are jewish, and the captured 200, they still hold all of them except for two. What my colleague is doing is fanning flames that i am sure its resulting in more people dying. Endangering peoples lives, fanning those flames, thats outrageous and to suggest that americans dont want to eradicate a Terrorist Organization, i dont think shes running the American People sentiment right now. I really would ask my colleagues to stand down and turn down the volume. And lets make sure that we keep the focus on assuring our National Security interests are protected and that we can prevent a Terrorist Organization like hamas from ever doing what they are doing again. And ensure that hamas cant put their own people, innocent palestinians in harms way, and caused the death of their own children, women, and elderly, by putting them in harms way, because hamas uses their own civilians as human shields. And that is been proved, over and over. All right, congresswoman debbie rosman scholes, thank you for your time, i appreciate it. Thank you hot can we, as always. Thank you. Coming up, israel recovered a Hostage Taking Handbook on the body of one of the terrorists. Next, we will be joined by someone who has read it. That is live in the cnn newsroom, next. This booklet is instruction guides, how to go into a civilian premises into a city, how to breaking, and what do you do when you find the citizens . You torture them. This is the booklet. This is the president of israel referencing a socalled Hostage Taking Handbook found with the bodies of hamas fighters, and it is shedding light on the brutal conditions of the hostages might be facing, greenwood was able to obtain a copy of the document and joins us now to share his reporting. Thank you for being with us. It is a very important report. You say this handbook tells the hostage takers it, is it how to guide, how to kill hostage is expected to resist, others are to be bound and blindfolded and used as human shields. Tell us more about this handbook. It is just awful. Yeah. It is brutality. It is what they called a field manual. The u. S. Military, part of the hamas military structure, they publish this and it was found amid the possessions of the terrorists. It is advice on how to brutalize hostages. It says that the beginning, if any of them are going to be causing you any, troubles and kill the ones who would be problematic. So, it does not look like a great situation for anyone. It falls to the hands for people who are working out of that manual. Graham, it sounds like based on some of the items in that how to handbook, based on some of the reports we have seen about some of the hostages who were killed, some of the people who were killed before some of the other hostages were taken back into gaza, that essentially, that is what you saw. Some of these Hamas Terrorists were following what is laid out in that handbook, or what appears to be, that is what the are doing. Yeah. There were limited cases where what they were doing was exactly according to the handbook. What is actually interesting, how much of what happened did not follow the handbook. You know . Not to say that they were not brutal towards the hostages they had. But the handbook is entirely envisioning situations where they have a prolonged standoff on israeli soil, so what actually happened was, of course, almost the hostages got taken back to gaza very quickly, whereas it seemed like what they were planning for, people who had that handbook, maybe a bunch of standoffs in the Kibbutz Scene in the territory of israel. And bargaining for the lives of hostages there, consolidating them all on the territory. Do we know why did hamas take these hostages, so many of them back to gaza . I think the easy answer is because they could. Hamas just like the israelis were very surprised with how successful they were, and they didnt really encounter any resistance. Certainly not with the full strength of the idea. And if you had the chance to just take them on golf carts, on motorbikes, suvs, then you do that, because in gaza you could put them in tunnels, and dungeons, who knows . Whereas the standoff that were being envisioned, i think would be less controlled by hamas, a lot of the things that they were envisioning they did not have to do, they didnt have to consolidate food, they didnt have to consolidate batteries, and flashlights. That is the kind of thing. If you just take them home, then you can use the Food Supplies that you have. And does the handbook, in any instructions on how to, what should be received a return for the hostages . Its not part of this . No. There is clearly a bargaining that was expected that is the fighters are told what to do with their own dad if there is an attack but theres no instruction on what you should except but there is a clear understanding that each of the lives of the hostages will be very valuable so you should try not to kill them unless you have to not that the sentimentality was like that but they are valuable. Right but that sadly appears to be one of the last partnerships that hamas has of this point because the hostages are killed, one would think the israelis are going to go in full force if those hostages are not alive anymore and if you want to speak to that, go ahead. That is correct hamas would have known and remembered very well, if they had a hostage that they were able to create 1000 palestinian prisoners. So each of those lives extremely valuable in trade. What do you make of the Two American Hostages who were released . Did not come as a surprise to you . No. It was surprising that there would be a release of hostages, i do know that one thing that the israelis are looking for very carefully is to see whether the for many of them there are american citizens and so forth and the reason they are doing that is because it is one thing to take an israeli hostage but if hamas is also taking another country citizen hostage, there are other implications of that. So its probably not a coincidence that these two have been released are american citizens. Not that hamas loves americans but what they really want is israelis. They want israelis they could trade to israel. There are probably less interested in having russians, or other nationalities. Yeah. Its just, graham, one last question, one of the most disturbing things in all of this is how grandparents, elderly people, Senior Citizens have been taken hostage. We know that there was one case where there were children who were taken hostage. I believe one of them was a special needs child. It is just unbelievable, but these kinds of people would be taken hostage. Any of that in your reporting that stands out to you as to why hamas did that . Well one thing that you do see in the manual is that they understand that they are going to be getting whoever that they get. Just whoever is there at the time. And when you get women and children, you do this and with men you do this with them, so they were contemplating from the beginning, doing a whole gamut of things that they found so, unfortunately, it is pretty chilling to see this written out as a manual. Not something that you do in the heat of battle. But something that you plan out well in advance that you would be taking the lives of children, of the elderly, of noncombatants. That is what they were planning to do and that is what we see them having done. Yeah. Absolutely heinous. Absolutely horrible. Graham would, thank you very much for your time. Appreciate the reporting. Things. Thank you. Still ahead, more on the behind the scenes diplomatic efforts to get desperately needed aid into gaza. That is next. Hows the chicken . The prawns are delicious. Oh, i have a shellfish allergy. One prawn. Very good. Did i say Chicken Wrong . Tired of people not listening to what you want . Its truffle season ah thats okay. Never enough truffles. How much are they . Its a lot. Oh okay im good, that its like a priceless piece of art. Enjoy. Or when they sell you what they want . Yeah. The more we understand you, the better we can help you. Thats what u. S. Bank is for. Huge relief. Yeah. 28 trucks from the egyptian red crescent passed through the rafa crossing earlier this morning on their way to provide critical aid to gaza. President biden is now addressing that aid delivery. Cnns Priscilla Alvarez is live in delaware, with the president. She has details on this. What is the president saying, priscilla . Reporter well, all of this, jim, comes on the heels of the president s trip to israel, and also, following a conversation that President Biden had with eg egypts president , where the two agreed for this crossing to be open. Now, in a statement this afternoon, the president reflected on those conversations, saying, quote, i made it clear from the outset of this crisis, in both my public statements and private conversations, that humanitarian assistance was a critical and urgent need that had to get moving. And i expressed my deep personal appreciation for the leadership of the egyptian president , the Prime Minister of israel, and the United Nations to allow for this resumption. Now, of course, jim, this remains a challenge. Its 20 aid trucks. That is a good start, but simply not enough. So, this is something that the administration is continuing to work on, but also critically, the president noted in his statement the work thats being done behind the scenes to facilitate for u. S. Citizens in gaza for their exit with Family Members. All right, priscilla, thank you very much. We appreciate that report. Still ahead, is there any chance a diplomatic solution could be reached to prevent a Ground Invasion by israel goo gaza . Ill talk to the former israeli ambassador to the United States. Thats coming up in a few moments. Youre live in the cnn newsroom. The power goes out and we still have wifi to do our homework. And thats a good thing . Great in my book who are you . No power . No problem. Introducing stormready wifi. Now you can stay reliably connected through Power Outages with unlimited cellular data and up to 4 hours of battery backup to keep you online. Only from xfinity. Home of the xfinity 10g network. Heres why you should switch from chrome to duckduckgo. Duckduckgo is a browser you download to your mobile and desktop devices. Unlike chrome, the Duckduckgo Browser has privacy builtin. 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